Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Isaacson argues that Franklin embodied and helped to create the American middle-class outlook. He defines this outlook as a unique combination of liberalism, conservatism, and populism. It is liberal in its embrace of the public good and the importance of sponsoring projects that benefit the community. Its conservatism is found in its celebration of self-reliance and individualism and corollary skepticism of governmental support for the poor. Finally, it is populist in its opposition to elite and aristocratic privilege.

Running away to Philadelphia as a young man with no money, Franklin personified self-reliance. He started work in a print shop and rose to build a media empire that was lucrative enough to allow his early retirement. His publications, such as Poor Richard’s Almanack and, later, his autobiography were filled with advice to enable others to follow this path of virtue and hard work. In so doing, Franklin helped to spread his creed. In his correspondence and some published documents, Franklin expressed a poor opinion of the lower class and was opposed to welfare programs. He feared that such programs would create dependency.

Franklin’s community spirit was apparent his whole life. As a man of business in Philadelphia, he formed associations and organizations to promote the public good.